Office of Health Disparities Reduction Website

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

In the last 3 years, Utah's farms have experienced labor shortages. Futures Through Training is working with the Farm Bureau and the Utah Department of Workforce Services to encourage farm workers to move to Utah.As part of this effort, Futures Through Training wants to ensure Utah's future farmers and farm workers know where they can go for help if they need any when they get here. Please fill out this Google form https://docs.google.com/a/utah.gov/forms/d/1vTPlC6_2g7j-jHJWoyL_XQ46cr0OcHmP-mHQjbqvWvQ/viewform?c=0&w=1if you have services that may be of assistance to farm workers. We are in need of more food pantries, ESL providers, housing assistance, and other basic needs providers.This information will be used to publicize the resources that are available to farm workers and their families when they move to Utah. If you would like to be included as a resource, please complete and submit the following information in this Google form:Agency NameProgram NameWebsitePlease cut and paste the address exactly as it appears on your website. Example: http://www.futuresthroughtraining.org/index.php/en/farmworker-programPhone Numberfarmworkers Can Call To Talk To A Human Being - NOT A MACHINE, Please use this format: 801-394-9774 ext. 18AddressWhere Farmworkers Can Go For Service: Example: 1140 East 36th Street, Suite 150, Ogden, Utah 84403How Can This Program Help Farmworkers & Their Dependents: Summarize the services your program can assist with. Example: Employment and Training Services Including: Career Counseling; Paying for ESL, Education, Computer, & Training Costs;Teaching Job Searching, Interviewing & Employment Skills.Basic Eligibility Requirements: Briefly summarize important requirements for participation in your program. Example: Applicants must have a legal right to work in the US, a valid social security card, and during the past 2 years, must have been working in agriculture for more than half of their time or income. Dependents who have not worked in agriculture can qualify if someone in the family has been working in agriculture. The household must meet the income limits as listed at www.FuturesThroughTraining.orgLanguages that Services are Available InList All Available Languages. Example: English, Spanish, German, American Sign Language and Khmer. Translators are available for Chuukese, Thai, Burmese, Karyn 1, and Karyn 2. Other translators can be acquired for Farmworkers & Dependents who speak other languages.Area(s) of Utah Where Services Can Be AccessedList All Places This Program Serves. Example #1: Only Utah County; Example #2: Walk-in services in Ogden, but Career Advisers will travel ANYWHERE in Utah if a Farmworker requests services.Email Address Of Person Submitting FormPlease complete a separate form for each program or for different locations.Example #1: USOE has different school districts operating the Migrant Ed Program. Each school district should be on it's own form. Example #2: CHC has clinics in 7 locations. Each clinic that can help Farmworkers should be on it's own form.For more information contact Corrie at ExplorerCor@aol.com or www.FuturesThroughTraining.org

Monday, February 23, 2015

Voices for Utah Children has launched an excitingonline crowdsourced contest to find out what types of support new and expecting parents in Utah want the most. The challenge, run in partnership with the national online advocacy platform SparkAction, is an opportunity to learn more about the needs of Utah parents in their own words and to help urge the Utah Legislature and U.S. Congress to continue funding evidence-based home visiting programs such as Nurse Family Partnership to serve high risk, low-income first time mothers in Utah.The contest simply asks parents to share a photo and their answer to the question, "If a baby expert visited you, what help would you want?" Anyone who visits the website can vote for their favorites. The entry with the most votes will win a night of free babysitting and dinner and a movie. The contest and all the information is at utahchildren.org/4UTparents.We hope you can help us spread the word to your networks of new and expecting parents or professionals and advocates who serve new and expecting parents.To save you work, we have created sample social media posts, e-newsletter blurbs, images and links that can simply be copied and pasted onto your platforms and websites, available here: http://www.utahchildren.org/about-us/projects/item/567Will you please spread the word to your networks?The contest begins today and ends on March 12, 2015. Please help Utah parents be heard and help us raise awareness of evidence-based home visiting.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today a special enrollment period (SEP) for individuals and families who did not have health coverage in 2014 and are subject to the fee or “shared responsibility payment” when they file their 2014 taxes in states which use the Federally-facilitated Marketplaces (FFM). This special enrollment period will allow those individuals and families who were unaware or didn’t understand the implications of this new requirement to enroll in 2015 health insurance coverage through the FFM.

For those who were unaware or didn’t understand the implications of the fee for not enrolling in coverage, CMS will provide consumers with an opportunity to purchase health insurance coverage from March 15 to April 30. If consumers do not purchase coverage for 2015 during this special enrollment period, they may have to pay a fee when they file their 2015 income taxes.

Those eligible for this special enrollment period live in states with a Federally-facilitated Marketplace and:

·Currently are not enrolled in coverage through the FFM for 2015,

·Attest that when they filed their 2014 tax return they paid the fee for not having health coverage in 2014, and

·Attest that they first became aware of, or understood the implications of, the Shared Responsibility Payment after the end of open enrollment (February 15, 2015) in connection with preparing their 2014 taxes.

The special enrollment period announced today will begin on March 15, 2015 and end at 11:59 pm E.S.T. on April 30, 2015. If a consumer enrolls in coverage before the 15th of the month, coverage will be effective on the first day of the following month.

This year’s tax season is the first time individuals and families will be asked to provide basic information regarding their health coverage on their tax returns. Individuals who could not afford coverage or met other conditions may be eligible to receive an exemption for 2014. To help consumers who did not have insurance last year determine if they qualify for an exemption, CMS also launched a health coverage tax exemption tool today on HealthCare.gov and CuidadodeSalud.gov.

Most taxpayers, about three quarters, will only need to check a box when they file their taxes to indicate that they had health coverage in 2014 through their employer, Medicare, Medicaid, veterans care or other qualified health coverage that qualifies as “minimum essential coverage.” The remaining taxpayers - about one-quarter - will take different steps. It is expected that 10 to 20 percent of taxpayers who were uninsured for all or part of 2014 will qualify for an exemption from the requirement to have coverage. A much smaller fraction of taxpayers, an estimated 2 to 4 percent, will pay a fee because they made a choice to not obtain coverage and are not eligible for an exemption.

Americans who do not qualify for an exemption and went without health coverage in 2014 will have to pay a fee – $95 per adult or 1 percent of their income, whichever is greater – when they file their taxes this year. The fee increases to $325 per adult or 2% of income for 2015. Individuals taking advantage of this special enrollment period will still owe a fee for the months they were uninsured and did not receive an exemption in 2014 and 2015. This special enrollment period is designed to allow such individuals the opportunity to get covered for the remainder of the year and avoid additional fees for 2015.

The Administration is committed to providing the information and tools tax filers need to understand the new requirements. Part of this outreach effort involves coordinating efforts with nonprofit organizations and tax preparers who provide resources to consumers and offer on the ground support. If consumers have questions about their taxes, need to download forms, or want to learn more about the fee for not having insurance, they can find information and resources atwww.HealthCare.gov/Taxes or www.IRS.gov. Consumers can also call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596. Consumers who need assistance filing their taxes can visit IRS.gov/VITA or IRS.gov/freefile.

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Application Deadline: April 14, 2015 (5 p.m. ET)—RWJF is requesting proposals from national nonprofit membership organizations and/or associations to establish an annual awards program to recognize and celebrate individuals who have successfully implemented systems changes related to the determinants of health.Recognition of these efforts increases the visibility and awareness of the urgent need for systems changes to eliminate health disparities in our society.More details and how to apply >

Salt Lake City, UT (January 28, 2015) – Imagine discovering an extra $2,200. That's the average
amount the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) typically provides tax filers who claim it. It's also
nearly 12% of the monthly income for one third of Utah families; the kind of money that could
easily be life-changing for so many. But why does it so often go unclaimed? Many Utahns eligible for the EITC just don’t know about the tax credit; others don’t file a tax
return, fearing additional debt burden. The truth is, by not filing taxes, these people may be
missing out on money that's already theirs. Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day is a national effort to help all who are eligible get the money they deserve. After all, one in four Utah
citizens fail to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit, leaving what may be a substantial, life-changing
amount of money on the table. In collaboration with communities across the state, UtahTaxHelp.org is dedicated to raising
awareness about the EITC — and other valuable refunds and credits — through their annual free
tax filing campaign. To learn more about the Earned Income Tax Credit and to find out if you
qualify, visit UtahTaxHelp.org or call 2-1-1. But hurry! April 15 sneaks up fast and filing your taxes
for free with UtahTaxHelp.org could mean more money back in your pocket! Who Can Claim the EITC?In order to qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, you must have earned taxable income and
you must file your taxes. Individuals and families who earned $60,000 or less in 2014 qualify to
have their income taxes prepared for free. There are many options and people can file online or
go into one of our designated tax sites across the state. Information on how to file for free and on
the Earned Income Tax Credit can be found at UtahTaxHelp.org or by calling 2-1-1. About UtahTaxhelp.org UtahTaxHelp.org is a coalition of statewide partners from the public, private and nonprofit sectors
and is an initiative of Community Action Partnership of Utah's Earn It. Keep It. Save It. program.
UtahTaxHelp.org is also an affiliate of MyFreeTaxes.com, a collaboration between Goodwill
Industries International, National Disability Institute and United Way Worldwide, powered by the
Walmart Foundation. Call 2-1-1 for more information or visit UtahTaxHelp.org to file your taxes
100% free — online or in person at one of many locations throughout Utah. UtahTaxHelp.org
provides tax help you can trust.

A total of 140,221 people in Utah are signed up for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace

On Feb. 15, 2015, the second year of Open Enrollment came to a close with 140,221 Utah consumers selecting a plan or being automatically re-enrolled in quality, affordable coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Nationwide, about 11.4 million Americans selected Marketplace plans or were automatically re-enrolled, including about 8.6 million people in the states that use the HealthCare.gov platform (such as Utah), and about 2.8 million in the State Based Marketplaces based on those states’ preliminary data.

“We had a strong open enrollment. About 11.4 million Americans signed up or were automatically re-enrolled in affordable, quality coverage nationwide since November 15,” HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell said. “And in the final day, more new consumers signed up for health coverage than on any other day this Open Enrollment or last. In the 37 states using HealthCare.gov, nearly 8 in 10 consumers had the option of getting covered for as little as $100 a month or less with financial assistance that lowered the cost of their monthly premium. The Affordable Care Act is now an important part of the everyday lives of millions of Americans. They finally have the financial and health security that comes with affordable health coverage. They now can fill prescriptions and take their children to the doctor. Some no longer have to choose between paying for health care and paying their utility bill. While we have more work to do, the numbers tell the story, and the story is clear. The Affordable Care Act is working, and families, businesses, and taxpayers are all better off as a result.”

Today’s Weekly Enrollment Snapshot also includes data for select local areas through Feb.15 -

54,207 consumers in the Salt Lake City, UT local area selected or were automatically enrolled in a plan

Officials from HHS are available for print, radio and television interviews to discuss Open Enrollment in your state. Satellite TV interviews are also available.

At the end of Open Enrollment on Feb. 15, 140,221 Utah consumers had selected a plan or were automatically re-enrolled.

2.88 percent of Utah consumers who were signed up as of Jan. 30 qualify for an average tax credit of $159 per month through the Marketplace.

Utah consumers could choose from an average of 69 health plans in their county for 2015 coverage – up from 55 in 2014.

82 percent of Utah Marketplace enrollees as of December 2014 could have obtained coverage for $100 or less after any applicable tax credits in 2015.

About the Weekly Enrollment Snapshot:

Open Enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplaces began on Nov. 15, 2014 and ended on Feb. 15, 2015. There are some consumers who were stuck “in line” leading up to the deadline – they will have this week, until Feb. 22, to complete their enrollment. Consumers can visit HealthCare.gov or call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 (TTY 1-855-889-4325) to find out if they qualify for aSpecial Enrollment Period.

The data reported today are preliminary, point in time figures that could fluctuate based on consumers changing or canceling plans, having a change in status such as new job or marriage, or because of ongoing special enrollment periods. Also included in today’s figures are a number of individuals who had 2014 coverage but cannot continue Marketplace coverage in 2015 because they did not provide the necessary documentation of their citizenship or immigration status. They will be removed in future reports after their coverage ends on Feb. 28. To have their coverage effectuated, consumers need to pay their first month’s health plan premium (today’s report does not include effectuated enrollment).

MSAs are geographic areas designated by the Office of Management and Budget and have populations of at least 50,000. A number of MSAs cross state lines. In the cases where MSAs cross into states using their own enrollment platforms, only data from the portions of a MSA using the HealthCare.gov platform are included.

Application Deadline: April 14, 2015 3:00 pm Eastern or 5:00 pm Mountain time—This program will support an organization to serve as a technical resource and expertise center that will facilitate customized assistance for immediate challenges, identify and share solutions, and engage in re-granting to support payment reform efforts poised to make substantial change.

The center is intended to serve as a payment and delivery system reform “accelerator” with special emphasis on addressing safety-net provider challenges.More details and how to apply >

Application Deadline: March 4, 2015 (8 p.m. ET)RWJF has provided funding to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement to accelerate communities on their health improvement journey. Recognizing that communities hold the solutions to improve their health, the SCALE initiative aspires to equip communities with skills and resources to unlock their potential and achieve significant results.More details and how to apply >

You are invited to a webinar hosted by the American Indian and Alaska Native Health Equity Caucus.

With 566 federally recognized tribes and an estimated 5.2 million American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) living in the United States, this population continues to experience some of the greatest health disparities in the U.S. The collective burden of historical trauma, toxic stress, and adverse childhood experiences impacts social determinants of health such as access to educational and job opportunities. Part of the Tribal Epidemiology Centers’ mission is to improve the health status of AI/ANs by the identification and understanding of health risks and inequities, strengthening public health capacity, and assisting in disease prevention and control. These eleven Tribal Epidemiology Centers and one urban Indian Health Institute are well-positioned to play a critical role in providing tribes with the data required to define the pertinent issues and opportunities to improve the health and well-being of their communities. This webinar will provide RHEC members and partners with an overview of the Tribal Epidemiology Centers and urban Indian Health Institute, their findings to date on the challenges in addressing health disparities, and how RHECs and RHEC members can partner to promote health equity for AI/ANs.

TOPIC: American Indian and Alaska Native Health Disparities and Tribal Epidemiology Centers

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

You are invited to a webinar hosted by the Federal Interagency Health Equity Team.

On any given night in 2011, more than 61,000 youth were incarcerated, and 75% of those youth were brought in for non-violent offenses. The majority (65 percent) were youth of color. The U.S. stands out in its use of youth incarceration with higher rates than any country in the world: five times the rate of South Africa; 15 times the rate of Germany and 30 times the rate of Italy. With this social backdrop, the W. Haywood Burns Institute was launched in 2001 to better understand policy implications for the unequal treatment for youth of color in the youth justice system.

In this webinar, Burns Institute founder James Bell will discuss justice policy implementation trends with particular attention to their impact on the mental health and life outcomes for youth of color. The presentation will also include a review of national youth incarceration data and strategies that are used to assist jurisdictions in understanding disparities in their youth justice system. Programs and practices that have significantly contributed to the reduction of delinquency for youth of color, including examples of community-based interventions driven by evidence-based practices, will be used to illustrate the impact of the work as well as opportunities for replication.

The Federal Interagency Health Equity Team (FIHET) is a group of 12 federal agencies convened under the National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities (NPA). The NPA is a national movement with the mission to improve the effectiveness of programs that target the elimination of health disparities through coordination of leaders, partners, and stakeholders that are committed to action. The FIHET provides a forum for federal agencies to increase dialog between traditionally siloed programs in ways that enhance cross-agency coordination, maximally leverage existing resources, and increase the impact of federal resources on conditions within communities.

Deadline: March 18, 2015 (3 p.m.)This program offers four-year postdoctoral research awards to support physicians and dentists from historically disadvantaged backgrounds. Applicants should be committed to developing careers in academic medicine and dentistry and to advancing the understanding and elimination of health disparities by serving as role models for students and faculty of similar background.More details and how to apply >

You are invited to join a conference call on Wednesday, February 11th at 5:15 PM ET with Vice President Biden to discuss the upcoming deadline for open enrollment the health insurance marketplaces under the Affordable Care Act. We encourage you to circulate this invitation to all of your colleagues and community partners who will engage on enrollment efforts in the final days of open enrollment between now and February 15th.

Approximately
14 health screenings (4 hours each, including setup and takedown, not including
travel) will be scheduled on an irregular basis, including evenings and
weekends. An additional 1.5 hours of travel time will be compensated per each
event outside of Salt Lake County.

Stipend

$12.00 per
hour of community outreach and training, with mileage reimbursement for
outreach events
outside of Salt Lake County.

Openings

Up to five
(6) candidates will be accepted.

Description

Through
the “Bridging Communities & Clinics” program, Interns will engage in
outreach with diverse
communities to provide free health screenings, clinic referrals, and support-service referrals
to promote access to healthcare among underserved populations.

Responsibilities

Interns will
be responsible for tasks including, but not limited to, providing screenings (blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, BMI) and explaining results, disseminating
health promotion information and referrals in conjunction with community
partners, setting up and taking down screening stations, following up with
participants by telephone, and other tasks as needed.

Requirements

- Recent
or current enrollment status as an undergraduate or graduate health sciences
student.

A health innovation is showing tremendous gains in improving health, especially among vulnerable populations. It has produced a return on investment of 4:1 when applied to children with asthma and a return on investment of 3:1 for Medicaid enrollees with unmet long-term care needs. Among participating patients with HIV, 60 percent achieve undetectable viral loads.Yet it isn't widely replicated, and it isn't supported by most health care financing mechanisms. In fact, some organizations that successfully deploy the innovation—and show better health outcomes—actually lose money.The innovation is community health workers (CHWs), and this week the Public Health Institute (PHI) releases a report, discussion paper and short video that make the case for how and why we should bring CHWs into the mainstream of health care delivery in California and beyond.Read entire study at PHI.

Optimizing Value in Health Care: Consumer-Focused Trends from the Field

Deadline: March 3, 2015 (3 p.m.)

As part of our vision for a Culture of Health, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is committed to seeking the best possible outcomes and highest value from our national investments in health care, public health and population health.This solicitation seeks to better understand consumer perceptions of value in the new and emerging health care landscape and to fund research studies that will allow for rapid learning from the field on consumer valuation of health care. Funded studies will cover a diverse set of topics and will help inform the development of tools, resources and policies to support consumers in making high-value decisions that benefit them and other stakeholders.More details and how to apply

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

With the help of generous funding from Utah's Department of Health, Department of Human Services and Department of Workforce Services, Help Me Grow will be expanding their borders past the Wasatch front to the entire state of Utah! The same care coordination that is offered to the families of Utah County will now be available to strengthen families statewide. What is Help Me Grow?

Help Me Grow is a FREE information line connecting families to community resources and child development information. More specifically, we offer the following services:

Information on general child development and parenting topics

Referrals to community resources, such as early intervention agencies, family therapy, literacy support, mentoring and tutoring programs, parenting classes, recreational opportunities, and much more!

Our Community Liaisons will happily be reaching out to many providers in their new areas, however, feel free to contact them sooner if you would like to receive information about how Help Me Grow can serve families and providers in your area!